Novel talk kicks off Geneva oral history project

Geneva History Center Executive Director David Oberg will lead a discussion about the book, "Oral History" by Lee Smith at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7.

This engaging novel begins with a scholar's search for her roots and brings in multiple perspectives spanning generations. "Oral History" (1983) remains one of Lee Smith's most ambitious works. She uses multiple points of view to tell the story of the Cantrell family, a story that spans the better part of a century. This book discussion is being conducted in partnership with the Geneva Public Library.

This program is part of a series of special programs connected with the upcoming StoryCorps initiative at the Geneva History Center. StoryCorps is a nonprofit, oral history project and is dedicated to collecting and preserving oral histories of everyday Americans. As part of Geneva's 175th anniversary, StoryCorps personnel will be in Geneva on Nov. 1-4 to capture the stories of 24 pairs of selected Genevans. To learn more about this project and the History Center's involvement, visit storycorps.org and genevahistorycenter.org.

The book discussion will be held in the community room at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St. For information, call (630) 232-4951.